Landscape and Urban Design Issue 45 2020 | Página 21

there are products to suit, whichever
you choose it is imperative to make
sure that the tiles are correctly
preserved with the right application.
The type of sealant and the amount
of this used is all dependent on the
surface type that you are protecting.
The tiles level of porosity can help
to establish how many coats of
sealant need to be applied to ensure
that a suitable defence is being
provided. A low level of porosity
would typically require 1 to 2 coats
of sealer, medium porosity requiring
2 to 3 coats and finally a high level
of porosity would need 3 to 4 coats
of sealer.
In most cases, tiles would be sealed
in two stages; however both stages
are also able to be carried out alone
if suitable for the material of the
tile. The first stage is to protect the
surface by using an impregnating
sealant; the purpose of this is to
fill the little pores in the tile which
then reduces the level absorbency.
Following on from this a surface
sealer can then be used to act as an
additional seal that can reduce the
risk of staining by preventing the
surface from being penetrated.
Cleaning
A floor seal doesn’t last forever
and that’s when intense cleaning
is required to prepare the floor
for initial and further protection.
Sweeping over the floor with a
brush is a simple yet effective
way to remove the main bulk of
surface dirt, but specialist products
would be required to remove more
stubborn blemishes or marks.
There are a large range of products
available on the market to tackle a
range of problems such as mould
and mildew, lime based stains and
grease; it is recommended that
specialist advice is sought to ensure
that the product is suitable for the
surface.
The moisture absorbing nature of
grout means that it is subjective
to the collection of dirt particles
causing discolouration if not
cared for properly. However, the
maintenance and cleaning of this
can be eased when selecting which
tiles are going to be used. Selecting
a tile design can be very exciting
but it also helps to think practically,
and it’s important to remember that
practical doesn’t always mean bland
or unattractive. Large format tiles
are a great way to cover a larger area
whilst minimising the amount of
grout needed. In addition, if a dark
shade of grout is used this will show
less staining and help to ensure a
fresh, clean look to the flooring.
Stain Removal
It is likely that the floor is going to
be victim to some form of spillage
or stain. Damage including minor
discolouration can still be caused
if a liquid is left in place for long
enough, despite a sealant being in
place. Most fluid contaminations,
if tackled quickly enough can be
simply removed by wiping over the
floor with a damp cloth. However,
should this not suffice, Fullers Earth
is a great product to deal with those
tougher stains; after sponging up
the stain allow the product to sit
for around 30 minutes to enable
absorption into the powder. Any
surfaces that have been treated
with Fullers Earth may need to be
re-sealed.
Renovation
As with many things, signs of
wear will start to show the more
something is used or exposed
to traffic. It is important to
remember that sealed floors in
any environment will require
periodic maintenance and complete
renovation over time. If the floor is
starting to accumulate grime and
stains alongside a lack of shine to
the finish, this indicates that the
surface needs to be renovated.
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These signs signify that the seal on
the surface is wearing, therefore the
absorbency is increasing and with
that comes a higher risk of damage.
It’s highly likely that the flooring
seal will not wear evenly, this makes
it all the more important that the
flooring is intensively cleaned to
remove any remaining seal before a
new one is applied. As mentioned,
it’s good practice to seek advice on
which product is best suited to the
material to determine the type of
sealant remover that is used.
Aftercare and Everyday
Maintenance
Once a surface is newly laid or
renovated it’s worthwhile to allow
the protection of the surface to
last for as long as possible before
it is due for renovation again. The
effectiveness of the seal can be
reduced with the repeated use of
regular floor cleaning products. To
prolong the life of a protective seal,
specialist aftercare cleaner should
be used and strong bleach cleaners
avoided. The use of protective mats
under heavy furniture and floor
mats in high footfall areas such as
doorways can help to enhance the
longevity of the flooring seal, in turn
keeping your floor protected for
longer.
Overall, if given the correct care
and attention tiles can have a long
lifetime and remain to be a great
finish for any environment.
For more information on Real Stone &
Tile, visit: www.realstoneandtile.co.uk
or call 0161 485 1373.
Follow us @ludmagazine
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